Counseling & Psychological Services

Judy Bijoux-Leist, Psy.D., LMFT
Social Justice Coordinator
Associate Professor/Psychologist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Integration of psychodynamic, family systems, bio-social and multi-cultural approaches

Special Areas of Interest: Relationship issues: families and couples. Identity development (gender, race, religion, abilities). cultural/bi-cultural, immigrant issues*, biracial / multiracial issues*. Social justice. Retired physician with strong interest helping individuals with physical health related stressors** (sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, cancer…) Mood Disorder, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder*, Grief and Loss, Complex traumas*

Fun Fact: Judy loves to dance!

Kelsey Blum, Psy.D.
Instructor/Psychology Resident
she/her/hers

Areas of Interest: eating disorders, body image concerns, and student athletes

Fun Fact: I am a lover of all Philadelphia sports teams! I also am a proud mother of a golden retriever named Chandler!

Mara Cash
Predoctoral Intern
she/her/hers

Special Areas of Interest: all topics related to human sexuality, relational dynamics and dysfunction, diversity and social equity, LGBTQ+ (especially trans) healthcare, interpersonal and structural trauma

Favorite Quote: “As the image of myself becomes sharper in my brain and more precious, I feel less afraid someone else will erase me by denying me love.” -Jenny Slate

Michele Cooper, LCSW
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Instructor/Counselor
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Person Centered and Systems Theory approach with a social justice orientation. Integrates aspects of 3rd Wave Cognitive Approaches

Special Areas of Interest: Suicidology, Non Suicidal Self Injury, family of origin concerns, interpersonal concerns, exploration of sexual identity and/or gender identity

Fun Fact: Michele loves hanging out with her dogs and family, college football and anything related to pop culture!

Favorite Quote: There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou

Arthur Dalton, Psy.D.
Outreach Coordinator
Assistant Professor/Psychologist
he/him/his

Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, drawing primarily from existential-humanistic, relational and third-wave behavioral approaches

Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, relationship issues, grief and identity exploration.

Favorite Quote: “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Søren Kierkegaard

Rachel Daltry, Psy.D.
Chair/Director
ISP Coordinator 
Professor/Psychologist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, drawing primarily from ACT/third-wave behavioral approaches and interpersonal theories. Strong focus on self-compassion, mindfulness, and acceptance.

Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety; perfectionism and self-criticism; guilt and shame; interpersonal difficulties; grief and loss; identity development; sports psychology; exploration of sexual identity and/or gender identity.

Fun Fact: Rachel is the proud mom to Muddy Puddles.

Favorite Quote: “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” ― Maya Angelou

Bree Gould, Psy.D.
Training Coordinator
Instructor, Psychologist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Relationally oriented; incorporating psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, emotion focused and interpersonal techniques in the therapy process.

Special Areas of Interest: Adjustment concerns, identity concerns and development, relationship concerns, emerging mental illness

Favorite Quote: "The only way out is through." - Robert Frost

Tammy Ahn Hock, MS, LPC, CAADC
Alcohol & Other Drug Counselor
Instructor/Counselor
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation/Special Areas of Interest I utilize cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness and motivational-based strategies to assist my clients with addressing anxiety and panic, depression, trauma, anger, substance abuse, body image and relationship issues.

Fun Fact: Tammy is an avid runner and has finished 5 marathons, including the New York City Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon and Baltimore Marathon. She also enjoys weight and strength training, hiking, cycling and yoga.

Favorite Quote: “If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.” – Anonymous

Meg Hoffer-Collins, Psy.D.
Therapy Dog Coordinator
Instructor/Psychologist
they/them/theirs

Theoretical Orientation: Interpersonal process incorporating dialectical-behavioral, cognitive behavioral, and self-compassion techniques.

Special Areas of Interest: Clinical interests include anxiety, depression, family and relationship distress, and working with diverse student populations (including LGBTQ+ individuals, students of color, students with disabilities, and international students.) Research interests involve social support networks of LGBTQ+ college students and the co-occurrence of LGBTQ+ identity and autism.

Fun Fact: They enjoy playing board games and tabletop roleplaying games, reading, and hanging out with dogs.

Favorite Quote: “Our feelings are our most genuine paths to knowledge. They are chaotic, sometimes painful, sometimes contradictory, but they come from deep within us. And we must key into those feelings and begin to extrapolate from them, examine them for new ways of understanding our experiences. This is how new visions begin, how we begin to posit a new future nourished by the past.” - Audre Lord, 1982 interview

Heather John, MD, PhD
Part-time Psychiatrist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic

Special Areas of Interest: Mood, anxiety, personality

Favorite Quote: "Be kind, for everyone is on a hard journey."

Maria Marcelin, LCSW, M.Ed.
Veterans Counselor
Instructor/Part-time Counselor 
She/they

Theoretical approach: Client-centered, biopsychosocial model from which Narrative, CBT, EMDR, and Gestalt elements integrate to promote a culturally competent, collaborative, strengths-based and emotions-focused approach.

Special areas of interest: Traumas (interpersonal abuse/neglect, transgenerational, systemic/historical), the mind-body connection, issues related to identity development, adjustment, moral injury, sexuality/LGBTQ+ and gender, and fish-out-of-water experiences. Multicultural issues (immigration/Third Culture Kids, foster histories, mixed socioeconomic class experiences) and issues of emotional and systemic justice.

Fun Fact: Instead of Santa Claus, Maria gives her child a gift and greeting card from an important historical or cultural figure for the winter holidays.

Favorite Quote: “Only by learning to live in harmony with your contradictions can you keep it all afloat.” Audre Lorde

Kristin Mehr, Ph.D.
Assistant Chair
Tenure and Promotion Coordinator
Associate Professor/Psychologist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Integration of primarily interpersonal, psychodynamic, and ACT theories with appreciation of multicultural identities and societal influences. Strong focus on self-compassion, acceptance of emotions, and mindfulness techniques.

Special Areas of Interest: Relational issues; family concerns; perfectionism and self-criticism; guilt and shame; grief and loss; sexual assault; body image and disordered eating concerns; identity exploration

Favorite Quote: "You're imperfect, and you're wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging." - Breneé Brown

Lori Mina, LPC
Philadelphia Location
Instructor/Part-Time Counselor
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Integration of cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, DBT and mindfulness-based approaches.

Fun Fact: Lori enjoyed skydiving while enjoying the views of the Pacific Ocean!

Favorite Quote: : "Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." - William Shakespear

Allison Murphy, LSW
Clinical Case and Referral Specialist
she/her/hers

Areas of interest: Self advocacy and self compassion, adjustment and transition, social justice, mindfulness, service coordination and connection. 

Fun facts: Allison enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially doing outdoor activities. Allison also cares for three dogs, four cats and a never-ending collection of indoor plants.

Favorite quote: “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” Brené Brown

Samantha Nardi, Psy.D.
Social Media Coordinator
Instructor/Psychologist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: I work from a relational, psychodynamic perspective prioritizing the therapeutic relationship as a mechanism of change. I integrate techniques from mindfulness, ACT, DBT, and Gestalt modalities to support healthy coping, self-compassion, and development of insight. I believe in understanding the individual within the context of the systems around them, including oppressive societal forces that impact psychological wellness.

Areas of Interest: self-compassion and self-criticism, individuation from family of origin, grief, and complex trauma

Fun Fact: I have a cat and a dog, both named after It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia characters!

Favorite Quote: "Don't wonder why people go crazy. Wonder why they don't. In the face of what we can lose in a day, in an instant, wonder what the hell it is that makes us hold it together." -Grey's Anatomy

Allison Palmer, Psy.D.
Instructor/Psychologist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Integration of psychodynamic, interpersonal, and cognitive-behavioral approaches with attention to multicultural and systemic influences.

Areas of Interest: Interpersonal concerns, family of origin issues, identity exploration, adjustment, anxiety, depression, multicultural issues, and grief and loss.

Fun Fact: I enjoy all types of puzzles!

Stephanie Sibley, Psy.D.
Clinical Coordinator
Associate Professor/Psychologist
she/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Interpersonal and psychodynamic approaches. Also integrates elements of cognitive-behavior therapy, mindfulness and family systems

Special Areas of Interest: Trauma, family of origin concerns, interpersonal concerns, multicultural/diversity issues, spirituality, anxiety, depression and shame/self-compassion.

Favorite Quote: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” - Maya Angelou
 

Joshua Smith, LPC
Instructor/Counselor
he/him/his

Theoretical Orientation: I use psychodynamic and person-centered treatment to facilitate my clients in addressing anxiety, depression, and family concerns.

Special Areas of Interest: I enjoy working with underserved individuals with a specific focus on men of color.

Fun Fact: I host and curate a concert series that highlights independent artists in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Favorite Quote: “Nothing is more creative... nor destructive... than a brilliant mind with a purpose.” ― Dan Brown

Anna Youhouse
Doctoral Extern
She/her/hers

Theoretical Orientation: Integration of person-centered, strength-based, interpersonal, and cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches.

Special Areas of Interest: Self-compassion, mindfulness, spirituality, trauma, mind-body connection, anxiety, depression, severe mental illness, and body image and eating disorders.

Fun Fact: I enjoy taking my dog, Lily, on nature walks (she is my sidekick!).

Muddy “Mudd” Puddles
Embedded Therapy Dog
he/him/his

Special Area of Interest: Spending time with students, faculty, and staff; making people happy; belly rubs; dog treats
Fun Facts: Muddy loves to sleep, eat, and play with his doggy friends. He dislikes baths/water and doesn't like to play fetch.
Favorite Quote: “No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.” – Christopher Marley

Ruby
Embedded Therapy Dog
she/her/hers

Special Area of Interest: People, greeting people, getting rubs from people. Ruby also loves barking at the television, playing with her sister Izzy and making her brother Scout howl.
Fun Facts: Ruby will do anything for a treat. She has a signature move called “the melt” that she does on every single person she meets. She loves to swim. She was the runt of her litter.
Favorite Quote: “Happiness is a warm puppy.” – Charles Schultz

Barbara  DiEdwardo
Administrative Assistant I
she/her/hers

I have been here at WCU since 2015 and have enjoyed all the folks I have worked with! I am super excited to be here at the Counseling Center and working with the wonderful staff here! (including the furry ones!)

Some of my favorite things are spending time with my family, working in my yard and firepits!

I don’t have a favorite quote, but my favorite word is KINDNESS!

Kelly Donegan
Clerk Typist III
she/her/hers

Fun Facts: Kelly loves spending time with family, cooking classes, playing card games, corn hole, the beach, Nashville, reading, and chocolate. She adores her 2 German shorthair pointers (Nylah and Murphy) and her grand fur baby Tucker. She also loves Muddy like one of her own and spoils him at work with Rachel Rays Meatballs.